Belt loop securing device, and related methods

ABSTRACT

A belt loop securing device featuring a clasp body and a locking clip is provided. The clasp body includes a front plate and a rear plate operatively connected to one another to permit movement of the plates between an open position in which the front and rear plates are splayed from one another and a closed position in which the front and rear plates are substantially parallel to one another to permit capture of a belt and/or pants waistband between the plates. The lock clip is slidable over the clip clasp for securing the front and rear plates in the closed position. A method of securing a belt to pants, and a method of securing an equipment holding case to a belt are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to belt loop securing device, and tomethods of making and using the belt loop securing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention a belt loop securing devicefeaturing a clasp body and a locking clip. The clasp body includes afront plate and a rear plate operatively connected to one another topermit movement of the plates between an open position in which thefront and rear plates are splayed from one another and a closed positionin which the front and rear plates are substantially parallel to oneanother to permit capture of a belt and/or pants waist edge between theplates. The lock clip is movable over the clasp body for securing thefront and rear plates in the closed position.

A second aspect of the invention provides a method of securing a belt topants. According to this aspect, a belt is arranged through belt loopsof pants. The belt is captured with a clasp body of a belt loop securingdevice. The clasp body of the device features a front plate and a rearplate operatively connected to one another to permit movement of theplates between an open position in which the front and rear plates aresplayed from one another and a closed position in which the front andrear plates are substantially parallel to one another to capture of thebelt between the plates. The device also includes a protruding lipportion which is engaged with at least one of the belt loops of thepants. A locking clip of the belt loop securing device is placed overthe clasp body for securing the front and rear plates in the closedposition.

According to a third aspect of the invention, another method of securinga belt to pants is provided. A belt is arranged about a waistband ofpants, and a clasp body of a belt loop securing device captures the beltand the waistband. The clasp body of the device includes a front plateand a rear plate operatively connected to one another to permit movementof the plates between an open position in which the front and rearplates are splayed from one another and a closed position in which thefront and rear plates are substantially parallel to one another tocapture of the belt and the waistband between the plates. A locking clipof the belt loop securing device is placed over the clasp body forsecuring the front and rear plates in the closed position.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a method of securing anequipment holding case to a belt and pants. According to this method, abelt is arranged through belt loops of pants, and a holding case beltloop of an equipment holding case is secured to the belt. The belt iscaptured with a clasp body of a belt loop securing device. The claspbody includes a front plate and a rear plate operatively connected toone another to permit movement of the plates between an open position inwhich the front and rear plates are splayed from one another and aclosed position in which the front and rear plates are substantiallyparallel to one another to capture of the belt between the plates. Aprotruding lip portion of the clasp body is positioned to engage theholding case belt loop, and a locking clip of the belt loop securingdevice is placed over the clasp body for securing the front and rearplates in the closed position.

Additional aspects of the invention will become apparent upon viewingthe accompanying drawings and reading the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part ofthe specification. The drawings, together with the general descriptiongiven above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodimentsand methods given below, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a belt loop securing device in aclosed position according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the belt loop securing device ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is an exploded front perspective view of the belt loop securingdevice of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 2B is an exploded rear perspective view of the belt loop securingdevice of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a left side view of the belt loop securing device of FIG. 1Ain a closed position;

FIG. 3B is a right side view of the belt loop securing device of FIG. 1Ain a closed position;

FIG. 3C is a top view of the belt loop securing device of FIG. 1A in aclosed position;

FIG. 3D is a bottom view of the belt loop securing device of FIG. 1A ina closed position;

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the belt loop securing device ofFIG. 1A depicted in use according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a top view of the belt loop securing device of FIG. 4A inuse;

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of the belt loop securing device ofFIG. 1A depicted in use according to another embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the belt loop securing device ofFIG. 5A in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND EXEMPLARY METHODS OFTHE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments andmethods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference characters designate like or corresponding partsthroughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the inventionin its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details,representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown anddescribed in this section in connection with the exemplary embodimentsand methods.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a belt loop securing deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is generallyillustrated by reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 5Aand 5B. Belt loop securing device 10 features a clasp body including afront (or first) plate 16 and a rear (or second) plate 18. It should beunderstood that the terms “front” and “rear” are assigned based on theposition in which device 10 is worn, with the “front” plate facingoutwardly. Plate 16 may serve as the rear plate, and plate 18 may serveas the front plate in use. Front plate 16 has an open recessed area 16 abest shown in FIG. 2A, and depicted with dashed lines in FIGS. 3A, 3B,3C, and 3D. Rear plate 18 has an open recessed area 18 a best shown inFIG. 2B, and depicted with dashed lines in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D.Recessed areas 16 a and 18 a are opposite (or face away from) oneanother. The clasp body may be made of various materials, includingmetals, metal alloys, and plastics. Particularly useful plastics arerelatively sturdy, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) andthermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride alloy (e.g., sold under thetrade name Kydex®), for example.

Rear plate 18 possesses a protruding lip portion (or flange) extendinglaterally to one side of recess 1 8a. The protruding lip portionprovides rear plate 18 with a broader width than front plate 16.Although not shown, front plate 16 may alternatively or additionallypossess a protruding lip portion. Optionally the protruding lipportion(s) may be omitted entirely. As discussed in detail below, theprotruding lip portion may be fitted over or into a pants belt loop inuse to secure a belt in place on the pants. Alternatively, theprotruding lip may be employed to secure belted equipment in place.

The upper end portions of front and rear plates 16, 18 are contoured tocurve towards one another. The upper end portions mate with one anotherto provide the clasp body with an overall U-shape when viewed from theside, as best shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The upper end portions of frontand rear plates 16, 18 each possess one or more apertures or bores whichalign with one another when front and rear plates 16, 18 are mated.

A hinge (embodied as a pivot pin in the figures) 14 is fitted throughthe aligned apertures/bores of front and rear plates 16, 18. Hinge 14operatively connects front and rear plates 16, 18 to permit movement ofthe plates between an open position shown in FIGS. 2A and 21 and aclosed position shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In the open position of FIGS.2A and 2B, front and rear plates 16, 18 are splayed (or flared) awayfrom one another to permit insertion or removal of a belt and thewaistband of a pair of pants. In the closed position of FIGS. 1A and 1B,front and rear plates 16, 18 are substantially parallel to one another.In this closed state, plates 16, 18 may capture the belt and/or awaistband of pants, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B. Hinge 14 can bemade of any suitable material for allowing the opening and closing ofthe clasp body. Metals such as stainless steel are particularlypreferable. Although shown as a separate component, it should beunderstood that hinge 14 may be integrally formed with front plate 16and/or rear plate 18.

Although not shown, device 10 may also be equipped with a biasingmember, such as a spring, for urging plates 16, 18 into the openposition shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. For example, biasing can beaccomplished with a torsion spring (not shown) surrounding hinge 14 withits opposite ends connected to (e.g., fitted into slots of) plates 16and 18, respectively.

Belt loop securing device 10 further includes a U-shaped locking clip12. Locking clip 12 may be made of various materials, including metalsand plastics. Particularly useful are metals and metal alloys such asaluminum and stainless steel. Plastics (e.g., ABS) also may be selectedfor locking clip 12. Locking clip 12 may be covered with a decorative orother material to improve its aesthetic appearance and/or match/blendwith the clothing of the user. For example, the covering material maycomprise leather, cloth, or other materials from which cloths are made.

Movement of locking clip 12 into engagement with the clasp body servesto lock plates 16, 18 in a closed position. From their open positionshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, plates 16, 18 are pressed toward one anotherinto the closed position shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Locking clip 12 isslid over the top of plates 16, 18 (adjacent hinge 14) until oppositeprongs of locking clip 12 are fully received in open recessed areas 16 aand 18 a, respectively. To return the latch body to the open position,locking clip 12 is moved upward to completely disengage from the openrecessed areas 16 a, 18 b and clear the top of plates 16, 18. Front andrear plates 16, 18 may then be spayed relative to one another to theopen/flared position shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Assembly of belt loop securing device 10 is accomplished by aligning theapertures or bores of front and rear plates 16, 18 with one another toform a passage, and inserting hinge 14 into the passage. A mechanicalfastener or chemical bonding agent or sealant may be used to retainhinge 14 in the passage. Conventional molding and/or metal shapingtechniques can be employed to form the clasp body, locking clip 12, andhinge 14.

According to an exemplary method of the present invention, the user putson a pair of pants 24 and inserts belt 26 through the existing beltloops 24 a of pants 24. While locking clip 12 is disengaged, front andrear plates 16, 18 are splayed from one another in their open positionand the clasp body is placed over the waistband of pants 24 and belt 26,which is already received through pants belt loops 24 a. The open claspbody is moved downward relative to pants 24 waistband and belt 26 untilrear plate 18 is situated to the inside of the waistband of pants 24,and front plate 16 is situated to the outside of belt 26. Front and rearplates 16, 18 are moved towards one another into a closed position andlocking clip 12 is slid into its locking position shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B,and 3A-3D. Locking clip 12 causes belt loop securing device 10 tocapture and frictionally secure to belt 26 so as to prevent lengthwisesliding of belt 26 relative to device 10. Belt loop securing device 10effectively provides an additional belt loop for waistband of pants 24,and retains the belt 26 in a fixed position next to the waistband ofpants 24. Advantageously, belt loop securing device 10 may be positionedat any point around the circumference of the waistband of pants 24 toestablish the additional belt loop where needed.

An advantage of employing belt loop securing device 10 as described inthe above embodied method is that device 10 retains belt 26 in placearound the waistband of pants 24, even when pants 24 are partially orcompletely removed by the user. For example, activities such as dressingand restroom use entail unlatching one's belt 26 and adjusting one'spants 24. The weight of some conventional belt buckles occasionally willdisplace an unlatched belt from its original position, more particularlypulling the non-counterbalanced belt 26 through loops 24 a. In the aboveembodiment, belt loop securing device 10 obviates this problem bysecuring belt 26, even in its unlatched/unbuckled state, to thewaistband of pants 24. As a result, belt 26 does not unintentionallyslide through loops 24 a of pants 24 when the user partially orcompletely undresses or dresses.

According to another exemplary method of the present invention, whilelocking clip 12 is disengaged, first and second plates 16, 18 aresplayed from one another into the open position. First and second plates16, 18 are arranged on opposite sides of belt 26, at a position alongbelt 26 adjacent one of pants belt loops 24 a. Unlike the precedingembodiment, second plate 18 is situated as the “front” plate, positionedon the front side of belt 26 and belt loop 24 a. First plate 16 ispositioned between the waistband of pants 24 and belt 26. First andsecond plates 16, 18 are moved towards one another into a closedposition to capture belt 26 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The protrudinglip of second plate 18 is arranged to extend over one of the existingbelt loops 24 a of pants 24, and locking clip 12 is slid into itslocking position shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. (According to a slightmodification to this embodied method, the protruding lip may be insertedthrough the belt loop 24 a.) In its locked position, belt loop securingdevice 10 captures and is frictionally, fixedly secured to belt 26 so asto prevent lengthwise sliding of belt 26 relative to device 10. Theprotruding lip of rear plate 18 essentially serves as a catch in thisembodiment, mating with belt loop 24 a of pants 24 to prevent belt 26from sliding about pants 24.

Of the two adjacent pants belt loops 24 a which device 10 is interposedbetween, preferably, the protruding lip of rear plate 18 is arranged tomate with the pants belt loop 24 a nearer to the weighted buckle end ofbelt 26. The weight of the belt buckle tends to pull an unlatched belt26 around the pants waistband towards the belt buckle end. In thisembodiment, sliding displacement of belt 26 along the pants waistband isimpeded because belt loop securing device 10 will abut against themating belt loop 24 a of pants 24. Because device 10 cannot fit throughthe mated belt loop 24 a, belt 26 (captured by device 10) will not bepulled through the existing belt loops.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate still another exemplary embodiment of amethod of the invention. Reference numeral 20 represents an equipmentholding case, and reference numeral 22 represents equipment partially orcompletely received in holding case 20. Equipment 22 may comprise, forexample, a flashlight, cell phone, beeper, tool, weapon (e.g., knife orpistol magazine holder), keys, personal items, etc. A holding case beltloop 20 a of equipment holding case 20 encircles around belt 26 tosecure equipment holding case 20 to belt 26 and facilitate the user'saccessibility to equipment 22. Problematically, movement by the user cancause equipment holding case 20 to slide along the length of belt 26,displacing equipment 22 from its original position and inconveniencingthe user.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, to overcome this problem belt loop securingdevice 10 may be positioned to interpose rear plate 18 between thewaistband of pants 24 and the rear side of belt 26, and to positionfront plate 16 on the opposite front side of belt 26, therebyeffectively capturing belt 26 between front and rear plates 16, 18. Theprotruding lip of rear plate 18 is slid into the rear portion of holdingcase belt loop 20 a as best shown in FIG. 4B. (Alternatively, theembodied method may be modified slightly to capture/interpose holdingcase belt loop 20 a in a frictional securing fit between the lip portionof rear plate 18 and the waistband of pants 24.) Belt clip 12 is slidover plates 16, 18 to lock the clasp body in the closed position andsecure device 10 to belt 26. In its locked position, belt loop securingdevice 10 captures and is fixedly secured to belt 26 so as to preventlengthwise sliding of belt 26 relative to device 10. The protruding lipof rear plate 18 essentially serves as a catch in this embodiment,engaging holding case belt loop 20 a to prevent holding case 20 andequipment 22 from sliding on belt 26. Equipment holding case 20 andequipment 22 are thereby held in a desired, easily accessible locationabout pants 24.

Belt loop securing device 10 may be sold and distributed by itself or aspart of a set or pack, e.g., with a belt and/or equipment holding case20. Multiple devices 10 may be used on the same pants 24 to provideadditional reinforcement. For pants 24 lacking any existing belt loops24 a, multiple belt loop securing devices 10 may be placed around thecircumference of the pants waistband to retain a belt. It is also withinthe scope of the invention to use multiple equipment holding cases 20 atthe same time on a single belt 26 so that more than one piece ofequipment may be stored. Each equipment holding case 20 may be assigneda respective device 10, or a single device 10 can secure two holdingcases 20, e.g., by modifying rear plate 18 to have lip portionsprotruding from both of its sides.

It should be understood that the scope of the invention encompassesvarious modifications and alterations to the exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Forexample, belt loop securing device 10 may be reversible to change thelocation of rear plate 18 relative to front plate 16. In the illustratedembodiment, in the front view shown in FIG. 1A, the protruding lip ofrear plate 18 projects to the right of front plate 16, so that theprotruding lip can be fitted into a pants loop or holding case looporiented to the right of device 10. If the clasp body is reversed byflipping front plate 16 over hinge 14, the protruding lip of rear plate18 will project to the left of front plate 16. In this reversed state,the protruding lip can be fitted into a pants loop or holding case looporiented to the left of device 10. Further modifications to thisreversible embodiment may be made. For example, a first open recessportion (identical to 16 a) may be formed in front plate 16 opposite toopen recess portion 16 a, and a second open recess portion (identical to18 a) may be formed in rear plate 18 opposite to open recess portion 18a. These added first and second open recess portions (not shown) wouldserve to receive the opposite prongs of locking clip 12 when the claspbody is in its reversed position.

The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodimentsof the invention has been provided for the purpose of explaining theprinciples of the invention and its practical application, therebyenabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. This description is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodimentsdisclosed. Modifications and equivalents will be apparent topractitioners skilled in this art and are encompassed within the spiritand scope of the appended claims and their appropriate equivalents.

1. A belt loop securing device comprising: a clasp body comprising afront plate and a rear plate operatively connected to one another topermit movement of the front and rear plates between an open position inwhich the front and rear plates are splayed from one another and aclosed position in which the front and rear plates are substantiallyparallel to one another to permit capture of a belt and/or pants waistedge therebetween; and a locking clip movable over the clasp body forsecuring the front and rear plates in the closed position.
 2. A beltloop securing device according to claim 1, wherein the clasp bodyfurther comprises a lip portion projecting laterally from at least oneof the plates.
 3. A belt loop securing device according to claim 2,wherein the lip portion is sized to lie over a pants belt loop.
 4. Abelt loop securing device according to claim 1, wherein the locking clipcomprises front and rear prongs and a connecting portion collectivelyestablishing a substantially U-shape viewed from its side.
 5. A beltloop securing device according to claim 4, wherein the front and rearplates have front and rear open recesses, respectively, facing away fromone another for receiving the front and rear prongs, respectively.
 6. Abelt loop securing device according to claim 1, further comprising ahinge operatively connecting the front and rear plates to one another.7. A method of securing a belt to pants, comprising: arranging a beltthrough belt loops of pants; capturing the belt with a clasp body of abelt loop securing device, the clasp body comprising a front plate and arear plate operatively connected to one another to permit movement ofthe plates between an open position in which the front and rear platesare splayed from one another and a closed position in which the frontand rear plates are substantially parallel to one another to capture ofthe belt between the plates; engaging a protruding lip portion of theclasp body with at least one of the belt loops of the pants; and placinga locking clip of the belt loop securing device over the clasp body forsecuring the front and rear plates in the closed position.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the protruding lip portion projectslaterally from at least one of the plates.
 9. A method according toclaim 7, wherein the locking clip comprises front and rear prongs and aconnecting portion collectively establishing a substantially U-shapeviewed from its side.
 10. A method according to claim 8, wherein thefront and rear plates have front and rear open recesses, respectively,facing away from one another for receiving the front and rear prongs,respectively.
 11. A method according to claim 7, wherein the loop beltsecuring device farther comprises a hinge operatively connecting thefront and rear plates to one another.
 12. A method of securing a belt topants, comprising: arranging a belt about a waistband of pants;capturing the belt and waistband with a clasp body of a belt loopsecuring device, the clasp body comprising a front plate and a rearplate operatively connected to one another to permit movement of theplates between an open position in which the front and rear plates aresplayed from one another and a closed position in which the front andrear plates are substantially parallel to one another to capture of thebelt and the waistband between the plates; and placing a locking clip ofthe belt loop securing device over the clasp body for securing the frontand rear plates in the closed position.
 13. A method according to claim12, wherein the locking clip comprises front and rear prongs and aconnecting portion collectively establishing a substantially U-shapeviewed from its side.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein thefront and rear plates have front and rear open recesses, respectively,facing away from one another for receiving the front and rear prongs,respectively.
 15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the loop beltsecuring device farther comprises a hinge operatively connecting thefront and rear plates to one another.
 16. A method of securing anequipment holding case to a belt and pants, comprising: arranging a beltthrough belt loops of pants; securing a holding case belt loop of anequipment holding case to the belt; capturing the belt with a clasp bodyof a belt loop securing device, the clasp body comprising a front plateand a rear plate operatively connected to one another to permit movementof the plates between an open position in which the front and rearplates are splayed from one another and a closed position in which thefront and rear plates are substantially parallel to one another tocapture of the belt between the plates; engaging a protruding lipportion of the clasp body with the holding case belt loop; and placing alocking clip of the belt loop securing device over the clasp body forsecuring the front and rear plates in the closed position.
 17. A methodaccording to claim 16, wherein the protruding lip portion projectslaterally from at least one of the plates.
 18. A method according toclaim 17, wherein the locking clip comprises front and rear prongs and aconnecting portion collectively establishing a substantially U-shapeviewed from its side.
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein thefront and rear plates have front and rear open recesses, respectively,facing away from one another for receiving the front and rear prongs,respectively.
 20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the loop beltsecuring device further comprises a hinge operatively connecting thefront and rear plates to one another.